Jig



April 13, 192e. 1,580,752

G. L. MILLER JIG Filed Feb. 20. 1924 3 Shee'cs--Sheec l INVENTO ATTO R NEY April 13 1926.

G. L( MILLER JIG Filed F'eb. 20, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hll 'Hh l .mm UH'ATTORNEY April 13 1926.

G. L. MILLER AJIG Y Filed Feb. 20, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

WAT E K LEVEL v ENToR .Iller ATTO R N EY a Ge 4 Patented Apr. 13, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JIG.

Application nled February 20, 1924. Serial No. 654,100.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known-that I, GEORGE L. MILLEm a citizen of the United States,residingl at Shickshinny, in the county of Luzerne and l State ofPennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Jig, of which the following1s a specification.

This invention relates to jigs of the type employed for the separationof minerals .or other material by the utilization ofhthe differences intheir specific gravit-ies. The form of the invention herein described ispartielllarly well adapted for use in connection with the smaller sizesof anthracite coal for separating the particles of slate therefrom.

The invention has for its objects to irnprove the general constructionand arrangement of the separating mechanism, and the means forcontrolling the discharge of the slate so that its action will be moredirectly Y responsive to conditions existing within the separating box,and will be more positive 1n its operation than has been the case withjigs as heretofore constructed. l

The separation is aided by the circulation of water, which is forcedupwardly through the coal by means of a plunger of improvedconstruction, which forms the subject matter of my companionapplication; Serial 80 Number G94,101,`led of even date herewith.

With the above and other objects in view which will be more fullyexplained 'as the description proceeds, the invention consists invarious combinations and arrangements of its various parts, which willbe more specifically explained in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, illustrating the invention in its preferred form.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 .is a vertical longitudinal section through a jig embodying theinvention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section thereof.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan View of the outlet end of the separatingbox.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of the same taken substantially onthe line 4.--4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a diagrammaticv illust-ration of the electrical connectionsfor controlling the discharge gate.

Figure 6 is a sectional detail view showing the electric contacts whichare ,controlled by the automatic float.

Figure 7 showsv in frQIlt elevation the valved artition through whichthe water is' forced y the plunger into the chamber underneath theseparating box.

Figure S is a detail sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7. IThe jig, which is the subject of the present invention, comprises aframe composed of suitabl)y arranged posts 10, connected by longitudinaland transverse bars 11` and supportingv a tank 12 having in its upperccntral portion a separating box 13, rinto which the coal orlothermaterial to be separated is introduced by means of a. suitable chute 14.T hc tank 12 is maintained substantially full of water, and has at oneend a chamber 15,`

which is separated from the remainder of the tank by partitions 16 and17, and in which chamber 15 is preferably rectangular, and the plunger18 has a double connecting rod 19, which is 'actuated by means of cams20 secured to a shaft 21, which may be driven by a pulley wheel 22. Thewater which is used in the tank 12 is used continuously over and overagain, except the small ortion thereof which is discharged with t e coaland slate, and this is replaced by the addition of water through aA pipe23, overhanging the chamber 15. As the plunger reciprocates, it sets u acirculation of water through the cham er 15so that the water is forcedupwardly through numerous perforations 24 in the bottom ofthe separatingbox 13, from which it flows outwardly through the cut out portions 25 inthe sides of the box. The coal is carried out of the box 13 with thewater into the lower ends of the. troughs 26, which are arranged, one oneach side of the jig, and the coal is delivered therefrom by conveyers27. The slate is delivered by means hereinafter described to a centraltrough 28 from which it is carried by a conveyer 29. As the coal settlesto the bottom of the water in the troughs 26, the water continues itscirculation through chambers 30 back t-o the chamber 15, the sides ofthe chambers'30 having portions cut out for this purpose, as shown at 31and 32.

rIhe operation of the plunger 18 forces the water from the lower part ofthe chamber 15 through a partition 33, and thence upwardl through theseparating box as above desem, ed. This parution 33 is made up ofreciprocates .a plunger 18 The a skeleton frame-work, having a plate 34in the center connected to the corners thereof by suitable strips 35,between which are comparatively large spaces 36. l`he pas sage of thewater through the openings 36 -is controlled by means of a check valve37 1n the form of a hollow rectangle, with its opening 38 opposite theplate 34. The valve 37 is mounted on bolts 39, which are surrounded bycoiled springs 40 adapted to close the valve and prevent a return flowof water during the upward travel of the plunger 18, but permitting thevalve to open upon the downward stroke of the plunger.

'The lunger 18 is also provided with a similar s eleton framework 41 ateach end, as shown in Figure 2, and the passage of the water through theplunger is controlled by valves 42 (Figure 1) which are similar tovalves 37. Inasmuch as the plunger and valves are not claimedspecifically in .the present application, but form the subject mattei'of my companion a plicatlon above referred to, a further descriptionthereof 1s deemed unnecessary.

During the operation of the jig, the plunger 18 operates continuouslyand forces the water upwardly through the perforations 24 in the bottomof the separator box 13, and the coal is held practically in a state ofsuspension, while the slate and other refuse, being of greater specificgravity, will settle to the bottom of the separator box and work towardthe lower end thereof, which is adjacent the partition 43, as shown inFigure 1. The partition 43 is provided with an opening 44 adjacent thebottom of the separator box, and inside this opening 1s a gate 45supported by means of screw threaded rods 46, which may be raised orlowered by adjusting the nuts 47, so as to' restrict the size of theopening 44, as may be desired. Outside of the opening 44, and spaced asuitable distance from the partition 43, is a second gate 48, which issupported by threaded rods 49, and adjustable vertically by means ofnuts 50. Thissecond gate is adapted to regulate the flow of slatethrough the opening 44, so as to deliver a stream of uniform size. Thegate 48 may be adjusted as may be necessary. Outside of the gate 48 is athird gate 51, which is supported by rods 52, these rodsbeing connectedat their upper ends to a vertical supporting rod 53 Figure 5) having atits upper end a head 54, which forms the core of a solenoid 55, throughwhich the gate is automatically operated. The second gate 48 preventsthe coal from jamming against the outer gate 51, so that the latteralways responds quickly to the solenoid. A

The solenoid 55 is adapted to be energized by electric current throughthe wires 56 and 57, which may be connected to the electra servie@ 111i@by Ineens 0f the contest fingers 58 and 59 of a three pole switch. Thethird contact finger of the switch is indicated at 60, and its purposewill shortly be explained. The contact fingers 58, 59

and 60 are connected so as to operate smultaneously, and are normallyheld open by springs 61 or the like, except when closed by means of anelectromagnet 62.

The position Aof the gate 51 is controlled by the solenoid 55, theoperation of which is controlled by means of the switches 58 and 59, andthese are in turn controlled b the position of a float 63, located nearthe ower part of the separator box 13, so that its position isdetermined by the specific gravity of the material surrounding it. Theoat 63 is carried at the lower end of a vertical brass rod 64, which isslidably mounted in a bracket 65 and a base 66, which extends across thetop of the box 13. Screw threaded rods 67 and 68 are' secured atopposite sides of the rod 64 parallel thereto, and have plates 69 ofinsulating material adjusta-bly secured thereon. Secured to the plates69, but out of contact with the rods 67 and 68, are contact fingers 70,71, 72 and 73, respectively. A disk 74 of insulating material isadjustably supported on the rod 64, and carries a copper ring 75adapted, when the rod 64 is raised, to bridge the contact lingers 70 and71, while a similar disk 76 is slidably mounted on the lower portion ofthe rod 64, and carries a copper ring 77 adapted to bridge the contactfingers 72 and 7 3. The disk 76 is urged upwardly along the rod 64 by anexpanslle coiled spring 78, but its upward movement relative to the rodis limited bv a collar 79, which is secured to the rod. Weights 80 maybe attached to the upper part of the rod 64 and these may be changed toadjust the action of the float to the particular conditions under whichthe jig is operated.

During the operation of the jig, as the particles of coal arecontinuously agitated by the upward current of water through theseparator box, the slate will gradually accumulate around the float 63,so that the latter' will be gradually raised. VThe ring 77, actuated bythe coiled spring 78, which is comparatively weak, will first contactwith the lingers 72 and 73, and a further accumulation of slate willraise the float and rod 64, and the ring 75 will eventually come incontact with the fingers 70 and 71, as shown in Figure 6. This contactmay be only momentary, but it will be suliicient to energize the magnet62 and close the switch, thus energizing the solenoid 55. The circuit,which energizes the magnet 62, extends through the wire 81 and the coilaround the magnet, thence through wires 82 and 83, contact finger 71,ring 75, contact finger 70, wires 84 and 85, contact finger 72, ring 77contact finger 73 94 Wi?? 86 beck t9 the other wire of the line. As soonas the lingers 58 and 59 are closed, the iin erv 60 is also closed, anda circuit is established through wire 81 and the coil of the 'magnet 62,thence through wire 82, linger 60, wires 87 and 85, finger 72, ring 77,finger 73 and wire 86 back to the line. Thus, after the magnet 62 hasonce been energized it will remain en ergized, although the contactbetween the ring 75 and the lingers 70 and 71 is broken. The lingers 58and 59.' will therefore remain closed, the solenoid will remainenergized,

and the gate 51 will remain up while the Islate is passing out of theseparator box,

until the lfloat 63 and rod 64 are lowered sutiiciently for the collar79 to contact with the disk 76, and force the ring 77 out of contactwith the ingers72 and 73. At this point, the circuit through the magnet62 will be broken, the switch lingers 58, 59 and 60 will be opened, thesolenoid will be deenergized, and the gate 51 will be closed.

The above described operation of the gate 51, solenoid 55 and magnet 62has been based upon the resumption that the iiow of water through theseparator box 13 has been `normal, and the-water therein has beenmaintained at its normal level. In case the flow of water shoulddecrease or the water level fall below normal, the coal, as well as theslate, would have a tendency to settle to the bottom of the box, and toraise the float 63. In case this should happen, unless some means wereprovided for preventing it, a

considerable amount of coal would escape along with the slate. I have,therefore, provided a supplemental float 88, which is secured to the rod64 insuch a position th 'at when the water is at the normal level, itsbuoyancy will be added to the buoyancy of the float 63, until the ring75 reaches the fingers and- 71. When, however, the water :falls belowits normal level, as mdicated in Figure 5, the weight of thesupplemental float 88 in air will bevsulicient to prevent the coal fromraising the rod 64 sufiiciently to open the gate 51.

The slate, as it is delivered from beneath the gate 51, is directed byan inclined apron 89 into a pocket 90 from which it is carried by theconveyer 29 to any suitable point o discharge. The coal, which 1scarried through'the cut out portions 25 at either side of the separatorbox, settles to the bottom of the conveyer trough 26, whence it isdelivered by the conveyer 27 to a desired point of discharge. Both theconveyer 27 and the conveyer 29 may be actuated by means of a shaft 91,driven by means. of sprocket gearing 92, from any suitable source ofpower. Any preferred conveyer mechanism may be used, but since itsspecific constructionforms no art of the present invention, a more detaied description thereof 1sk believed to be unnecessary.

From the fore oing description, it will be understood that have provideda jig, the opei'ation of which is entirely automatic, and which willaccurately eli'ect the separation of the slate from the coal. Thepositions of the several gates and the relative ppsitions of the.contact rings and 77 may adjusted according to the character of thecoal bein separated. Not only will the position of t e gate 51 becorrectly determined to effect the discha'r e of the slate unmixed with.coal during t enormal operation of the jig, but provision has also beenmade to prevent the escape of any coal with made therein withoutdeparting from thesalient features of the invention, or sacrificing anyof the advantages thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In; a jig of the character described, the combination of a separatorbox having an opening near its bottom for the discharge of the heavierparticles which settle by gravity in the bottom of the box, a gatecontrolling said opening, a solenoid associated with the gate andoperable when energized to open said gate, a switch controlling theelectric circuit through the solenoid, resilient means normally holdingsaid switch open, an electromagnet opera le when energized to close saidswitch in opposition to said resilient means, a float depending withinthe box in a position to be raised by an accumulation of the heavierparticles in the bottom of the box and having a stem with means thereonfor closing Athe circuit through the magnet coil when the float israised a predetermined distance, and means associated with the lastmentioned means for maintaining a circuit through the magnet coil whilethe float moves downwardly toward its original position.

iis

2. In a jig of the character described, the

combination of a separator box having an opening near its bottoni fordischarging the heavier particles which accumulate by trolling saidopening, a solenoid associated with the gate and operable when energizedgravity in the bottoinof the box, a gate coniso of the box and having astem with means thereon for closing a circuit through the magnet coilwhen the float is raised a predetermined distance, and a switch o rablesimultaneously with the solenoid switch to establish a branch circuitthrough the magnet coil which remains closed while the float settlesback toward its originalposition, and after the original circuit throughthe magnet coil is broken.

3. In a jig of the character described, the combination of a separatorbox having a discharge opening near its bottom, a gate con trollin saidopening, a solenoid associated with tlie gate and operable whenenergized to open said gate, a switch controlling the electric circuitthrough the solenoid, resilient means normally holding tsaid switchopen, an electromagnet o erable when energized to close said switc inopposition to said resilient means, a float depending within the box ina position to be raised by an accumulation of the heavier particles inthe bottom of the box, a vertical stem having a float secured to itslower end, a contact ring supported on the stem, a second contact ringslidable on the stem, resilient means urging the slidable cont-act ringupwardly, a collar secured to the stem and limiting the upward movementof the slidable ring thereon, an electric circuit through the magnetcoil, including two airs of contact lingers adapted to be bridge by therespective contact rings to complete the circuit when the float israised to a predetermined extent, a branch circuit through the magnetcoil, a slidable contact rin including a switch which is closed simutaneously with the closing of the solenoid switch, said branch circuitbeing operable to maintain the magnet and solenoid active while thefloat settles back to its original position and after the circuitthrough the first mentioned contact ring is broken.

4. In a jig of the character described, the combination of a separatorbox having a discharge opening in its side near the bottom, a verticallyslidable gate controlling said opening and having a vertical rod securedthereto and extending upwardly, a solenoid located above the gate andhaving a coro secured to the upper end of the rod so that when thesolenoid is energized it will open the gate, a switch controlling theelectric circuit through the solenoid, an electromagnet operable whenenergized to close said switch, means for opening said switch when theelectromagnet is de-energized, a float dependin within the box in aposition to be raised gby an accumulation of the heavier particles inthe bottom of the box, and having a stem with means thereon for closinga circuit through the magnet coil when the float is raised to apredetermined extent, and means associated with the last mentioned meansfor maintaining a circuit through the ma et coil 'while the float movesdownward y toward its original position.

5. In a jig of the character described, the

combination of a separator box having a disenergized, a switchcontrolling the electric' circuit through the solenoid, an electromagnetoperable when energized to close said v switch, means for opening saidswitch when the ma net is de-energized, a float depending wit in the boxin a position to be raised by an accumulation of the heavier particlesin the bottom of the box and having a stem with means thereon forclosing a circuit through the magnet coil when the float is raised to apredetermined extent, and a switch connected to and operable in unisonwith the solenoid switch to establish a branch circuit through themagnet coil, which is maintained while the float settles back toward itsoriginal position, and after the original circuit through the magnetcoil is broken.

v 6. In a jig of the character described, the combination of a separatorbox having a discharge opening in its side near the bottom, a gatecontrolling said opening, a sole.- noid having a core connected to thegate and operable when energized to open the saine, a float dependingwithin the box in a position to be raised by an accumulation of theheavier particles in the bottom of the box, means operable by the floatwhen raised to energize the solenoid and open the gate, and asupplemental loat secured to the stem of the iirst mentioned ioat nearthe normal water level, and tending to prevent the rise of the float andstem when the water level is lowered.

7 In a jig of the character described, the combination of a separatorbox, a solenoid, means operable by the solenoid when energized to causeAthe discharge of slate from the box, a switch controlling the electriccircuit through the solenoid, an electromagnet operable-when energizedto close said switch, means for again opening the switch when theelectric magnet is Cle-energized, a ioat depending within the box in aposition to be raised by an accumulation of the heavier particles in thebottom of the box and having a stem with means thereon for closing acircuit through the magnet coil when the float is raised to apredetermined point, and a switch operable simultaneously with thesolenoid switch to establish a brauch circuit through the magnet coil,

ico

lll

-which remains closed while the oatsettles j back toward its originalposition, and after the original circuit through the magnet coil isbroken.

8. Iii a jig of the character described, the combination of a separatorbox, a solenoid, means operable by the solenoid when energiz'ed to causethe dischar of slate from the box a switch control 'ng the electriccircuit through the solenoid, an electroma net operable when energizedto close 'said switch, means for again openin the switch as soon as theelectromagnet is eenergized, a float dependingl within the box in aposition to be raised y an accumulation of slate in the bottom of thebox, a vertical stem having a float secured to its lower end, a

lcontact ring supported on the stem, a second contact ring shdable onthe stem, resilient means urging the slidable contact ring upwardly, acollar secured to the stem and Y limiting the upward movement of theslidable ring thereon, an electric circuit through the magnet coil,includin two pairs of contact iingers adapted to e bridged by the lrespective rings to complete the circuit when thefioat is raised to apredetermined extent, a branch circuit through the magnet coil and'slidable contact ring and including a switch whichis connected to and orable in unison with the solenoid switch, said branch circuit beingoperable to-maintain the magnet and solenoid active while the floatsettles back to its ori 'nal osition, and'after the circuit throng therst mentioned contact ring is broken.

9. In a jig of the character described, the combination of a separatorbox, a solenoid, means operable by the solenoid when energized to causethe discharge of slatefrom the box, a switch controlling the electriccircuit through the. solenoid, an electromagnet operable when energizedto close said switch, means for again opening said'switch as soon as theelectromagnet is de-energized, a Hoat depending within the box in aposition to be raised by an accumulation of slate in the bottom 'of thebox and having a stem with means thereon for closing a circuit throughthe magnet coil when the float is raised to a predetermined extent,means associated with the last mentioned means for maintaining a circuitthrough the ma et coil while the float moves downward toward itsoriginal position, and a supp emental iioatable when the float stein israised to a predetermined extent to cause the discharge of the heavierparticles from the box, and a supplemental float secured to the stemnear the normal water level`and tending to prevent the rise of the floatand stem when the water level is lowered.

11. .In a jigof the character described, the combination of a se aratorbox having a discharge. opening in its side, a wall extendin ownwardlybelow said opening a .vertica ly slidable gate inside the box adjacentsaid opening, a second gate spaced from the side of the box outside thelopening and extendin below said opening and arallel to the ownwardlextending wal to form a downwardly directed passageway, and a third gateoutsidethe second 'gate and vertically movable to open or close thepassageway beneath the second gate.

12. In a jig of the character described, the combination of a se aratorbox with an inclined bottom and' avin a discharge o ning in the sideadjacent ghe lowest part o the bottom, a wall extending downwardly belowsaid opening a verticall slidable gate inside the box adjacent saibottom, means for adjusting said gate vertically tu restrict the size ofthe discharge opening, a second ate spaced from the side of the boxoutsi e the opening and extending below said opening and parallel tosaid downwardly extending wall to form a downwardly directed passageway,means for adjusting Va discharge opening in the side thereof, a

wall extending downwardly below said opening a vertical y slidable gateinside the box adjacent said opening, a second gate spaced from the sideof the box outside the opening and extending below said opening andparallel to said downwardly extending wall to form a. downwardlydirected passageway, a third gate outside the second gate and verticallmovable to open or close the passage` way the box, and meansautomatically actuated by the float to open or close the third gateaccording to the amount of heavier particles in the bottom of the box.

14. In a jig of the character described, the combination of a separatorbox with an inclined bottom and having a discharge openeneath the secondgate, a float inside ies side the opening and extending below saidopening and parallel to said downwardly exj tending wall tol form adownwardly directed passageway, means for adjusting said second gatevertically, a third gate outside the second gate and movable to open orclose the passageway beneath the second gate, a oat inside the box, andmeans automatically actuated by the oat to open or close the third gateaccordingr to the amount of heavier par- 10 ticles in the bottom of thebox.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aixedmy signature.

GEORGE LEROY MILLER.

